Lost Souls: 3S - Last Part Page 18

Part One

Asad walked through the darkened alleys of the most notorious area of Mumbai. He was no stranger to the streets he passed in and out of, he had lived amongst the most merciless men for the last seven years.

At the age of 13 Asad ran away from home, after his mother passed away, Rashid Ahmed Khan remarried and brought home the most evil woman veiled beneath the face of a mother. After so much endurance Asad finally broke and left, left the world that was filled with lies, betrayal, shamelessness and abuse. Where he ended up was a lot worse but at least there were no lies there was no farce, there were rules that were followed and as long as you stayed with in the limits imposed on you there was no harm.

Asad was found by Shaka's men wondering the street severely malnourished. Shaka was one of Mumbai's most wanted, a fearless man who evoked more than just fear in anyone who crossed his path, a man who took life away as easy as wiping specks of dust. Shaka placed his hand over Asad's and took him in, raising him as his son. Asad managed to touch a chord within Shaka, something about this lost soul reminded him of his own youth, from that day Shaka became Dadda to Asad.

Asad was born again into the life of crime, although Shaka kept him away from anything big Asad learnt how to hold his own, he was me to go to school and college, becoming the most popular, most rebellious, most feared and most admired young man. The boys hated him and the girls couldn't help falling in love with him. With more money than he could spend and more friends than he could remember the names of Asad truly walked the streets as if he was king.

'Dadda, me and a few friends are going out to a new club, I'll be back a little late' Shaka placed his arm around Asad 'do you need the driver to take you?' 'No Dadda, it's not too far from college, by the time we finish I am sure the walk back will do us good' Shaka started to laugh 'in all this Asad the one thing you refrained from is drinking...the people around you, people you have grown up with drink it as if it were milk...but you never touch it' Asad looked at his Dadda not understanding if he was pleased with him or disappointed. Understanding his expression Shaka laughed out loud 'it's something to be proud of Asad, it goes to show that nothing in life will influence you, if you don't want something you simply don't want it and there is nothing that will deter you otherwise' Asad smiled and nodded his head 'I will see you tomorrow'.

There were only two people other than Shaka that Asad was close to and loved dearly, two people that he grew up with in the infamous Noor Muhalla. Ayaan, the son of Shaka's right hand man and Najma, the daughter of a gang member who lost his life during a face off with the police. Najma, an orphan befriended Asad when he first came her, her instant bond with him gave him a little sister who loved him as much as he did her.

'Ayaan, we need to get out before Najma sees us, the girl will lecture us to no end' Asad said as he looked high and low making sure Najma was no where in sight. As the two of them got ready for their quick exit they were stopped by a long stick that blocked the doorway 'crap' Ayaan whispered as he saw Najma stand before them, she was small but no less than a firecracker 'like hell crap...you two have done nothing but party all semester...bhaijaan I swear...' Asad and Ayaan looked at their little sister who in all her might stood their chiding them as if they were five year loads 'bhaijaan, why are you smiling...this is not supposed to be funny' Asad could never get enough of her, he couldn't help smiling at her even if she was telling him off. Asad stepped forward and cupped her face 'you don't trust your bhaijaan?' Najma looked at him 'more than anyone else in the world... But it's him I don't trust...Ayaan's middle name is trouble' Ayaan looked at her wide mouthed 'excuse me...you listen to me fatso...' Before Ayaan could continue he felt a rather large hand hit the back of his head 'ouch...what the hell was that?' 'You call her fatso one more time Ayaan, and I swear I'll hang you upside down...naked' Najma couldn't stop laughing at Ayaan's expression 'you two are impossible...fine...Miss Najma if you have quite finished...move we are getting late' Ayaan said as he walked off pretending to be upset. Asad kissed Najma on the forehead, you be good, make sure you finish all your homework, and if Dadda has anything going on I want you to keep locked in your room'.

The children of Noor Muhalla were not ignorant to what happened on their door step, but it was something they did not involve themselves in, some grew up and followed pursuit others kept away. Asad and Ayaan made sure Najma never came face to face with anything, they themselves were a part of it but only to a certain extent, to a level that Shaka allowed them to be.

As the sun set the night club started jamming out, Asad and Ayaan met with a large group of friends from college and took the back table. Although clubbing, drinking and indulging in girls and drugs wasn't Asad's style he still made an effort to join his friends every no and again, especially for Ayaan. As the night grew and slowly turned into the early hours of the morning Asad and his group started to make their way back, on route they cane face to face with another group of boys who were almost as drunk and disorderly as Asad's friends. It didn't take long for a few insults to be passed to start a verbal argument, with only Asad and Ayaan sober they tried to pacify the situation, as their efforts fell flat a full fight broke out with hard punches and high kicks being thrown about. As they tried to break the fight a young boy from the other group grabbed an empty bottle and ran towards Ayaan 'Ayaan...move' Asad screamed as he ran towards him, before Ayaan could register what was happening he saw Asad stand before him 'Ayaan...' Asad whispered as he fell to the floor, he had been hit, the bottle smashed against his head, cutting it open, Ayaan had never seen so much blood 'Asad...nooo...Rahul...Vinnay, help' Ayaan held on to Asad as he screamed out to his friends.

Asad opened his eyes to a white light, he found it difficult to keep his eyes opened as the shine started to sting. He could hear a lot of mechanical noises and low whispers, as he raised his hand to block the light he saw tubes coming out of the back of his hand 'where am I' he managed to whisper before he fell unconscious again.

The next time Asad opened his eyes he found himself in a bright room, as he looked around he realised he was in hospital. 'Ayaan...Najma...' Asad called out hoping one of them would be here. 'They just left...you were sleeping when they came' a voice came from by the door. Not being able to bring himself to move his body Asad strained hard to see who it was. As the figure came into focus Asad saw a young girl standing before him smiling, she placed her hand across his cheek and caressed it softly with the tip of her thumb 'how are you feeling?' She asked in a soft whisper. Asad couldn't bring himself to respond as he kept staring at her 'who are you?' The girl smiled and stood back a little 'now let's see, you are in hospital and I am standing before you in white...how many guesses do you need?' 'Doctor' Asad said making her smile 'not bad Asad, you are quite the intelligent one' 'was that supposed to be funny...because I seriously forgot to laugh' 'intelligent and grouchy...this will be fun' she said as she continued to smile and retreat her steps. As Asad saw her move further away from him he felt his insides dip, like he was struggling to hold on the the air that he had just taken in 'wait...what is your name' before she walked out she turned around 'you can call me doc'.

Asad started to feel his head spin, his vision became hazy. Asad groaned as he felt intense pain seep through what had been suppressed by strong medication. As his pain filled groans got louder he heard two distinct voices 'Bhaijaan...' 'Asad...' Asad saw Najma and Ayaan stand before him 'Najma, quick go and call the doctor' Ayaan said before he turned back around to Asad. Asad looked at Ayaan's tired and swollen face 'Ayaan' 'shhh...you are ok, thank God you are ok Asad, you gave us such a fright...me and Najma have been going crazy waiting and Dadda has been going mad trying to capture those guys for the last two weeks' Asad looked at Ayaan with his pupils starting to dilate 'what did you just say...his long?' 'Two weeks' Asad felt his chest constrict 'Ayaan how long have I been here?' 'Just over two weeks...everyday every night we sat here hoping, praying you would wake up...but you didn't...but today Allah heard our pleas he listen to us'. Asad couldn't get over what Ayaan was saying as he tried to speak again Najma came back in with a doctor and two nurses who immediately surrounded Asad.

After the doctor had checked Asad thoroughly, he prescribed a new course of medication Asad, you are still very weak, the injury you sustained will take time to heal, the medication I have just subscribed is quite strong, I will need you to stay here for at least another three to four days. If I am not here other members of my team will be coming to assess you'.

After the doctor left Najma came running to her brothers side and wrapped her arms around him 'shhh no crying...I am ok, how could I not be I had my little sisters Dua's with me...Ayaan take Najma home and tell Dadda I am ok, I don't want him risking coming out...and as for those guys...it's only a matter of time, I extract my own revenge'.

After Ayaan left with Najma, Asad closed his eyes to rest them as soon as he did he heard her voice again. 'You think revenge is the best policy?' Asad opened his eyes to see her standing before him, as she picked up his file to read through it she walked around his bed, Asad followed her every move. 'So, looks like I have you for quite a few more days...' She said smiling, as she put the file back and went back to stand by him 'you never answered my question' 'which question?' Asad asked 'the one about revenge' 'it's about making sure that they won't repeat the same mistake, people need to be taught a lesson' 'the last time I checked I was sure that's what the law was there to do, why resort to more violence?' 'Look doc...with all due respect, it's none of your business and if you have quite finished checking me over you can leave'. The doctor bent down a little 'grouchy and full of attitude...I like it' she said giving him a wink.

As she walked out Asad let out a sigh 'weirdo...what kind of a doctor is she?' He said to himself. Asad struggled to keep his mind at bay as the doctors face kept flashing before him, her sparkling eyes, her perfect smile and little dimple all started to become prominent, Asad opened his eyes in frustration 'what the hell Asad' he cursed himself. Asad managed to sit himself up a little as he did the door to his room clicked, the doctor was back with a nurse 'looks like I kept you awake' she said Asad looked at her wide eyed 'how do you kn...' Asad stopped what he was saying changing his posture he looked back at her 'the only thing that is keeping me awake is being in here...can you take these blasted tubes out, I need to go to the toilet' the doctor started giggling 'of course your wish is our command, the nurse is here to take out your canula' the doctor stood a few feet away as the nurse came and attended to his hand.

'Have you done this before' Asad asked the nurse as he saw her hands shaking 'y...yes sir, many times' 'then why are you shaking?' The little nurse looked up at his farrowed eyes and then back down again 'a little niceness wouldn't go amiss you don't have to look so mean and miserable' Asad looked up to the doctor 'I am not mean and not miserable...haven't you got other patients to annoy?' Hearing his tone of voice the nurse jumped back a little dropping her tray 's...sorry sir, I'll be right back' she said before she ran out the room.

The doctor came and sat with Asad, she took his fisted hand into hers and held it until he relaxed it and opened it up, her soft touch and warmth spread across his entire body. Asad kept his eyes fixated on her face as she removed the needle and bandaged his hand. 'There is all done, you are free to go...but just be careful, one step at a time you may feel dizzy...I will come back later' 'one minute...what is your name...I mean other than just doc?' 'Zoya...my name is Zoya Farooqui'